Process and apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets



g- 30, 1932- A. WINKLER ET AL. 1,875,189

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FOLDED OR INDIVIDUAL SHEETS Filed Dec. 24. 1930 2 Sheets-Shept 1 Jnyen T075. Sq/ ree h/i/z/Her and Map Dimnebz'er Aug. 30, 1932. A. WINKLER ET AL 1,375,139 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF FOLDED OR INDIVIDUAL SHEETS Filed Dec. 24, 1930 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [fire/220m. 7 Zfred h/z'nkler 62/707 Mel a Dinnebz'er' 7 3?- adapted 26' of the introduction Patented Aug. 30,1932

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nnjrnnn AND m nfimznnrnn, or mwwmn,

rnocnss Ann Arrhenius I Appliestlon fllecl December 24,

introduction of other sheets or groups, t; the

sheets romremoval of sheets or groups 0 their stacks and the insertion of the sheets 1 of newspapers or periodicals'into each other I in the'assembling of individual parts to form books and the like.

The apparatus may be embodied in a newspaper inserting machine ,and is particularly for use inthe assembling of singly or doubly folded "sheetswhich can not easily be opened at their exaet centers or other de initely predetermined placefor the introduction of other parts by he'employment of the as usual suction devices which engage the sheets simultaneously from above and below.

When it is'neces'saryto open a group of sheets at the exact center thereof or at an other predetermined lace in order to 1permit fan additipnal s eet or sheets, trouble has. heretofore been experienced when effecting the operation by hand and also when attempts were made to employ mechanical means for this purpose. 8c One object of the present invention is to provide a method according to. which the desired number of sheet corners are moved away from the remaining corners by bending until the group of sheets is opened at the center or '35 atthe desired lace.

A further. Q ject of this invention is to provide apparatus compris'in a" rotary sheet turner havingmeans where y it engages end moves the desired numlger of sheet. corners 46 successivelyand thus hpens the group ofsheets at the dcsiredplaoe and a stillfurther object is to provide the ;sheet turner with suction,,cam or needlefmeans capablefof adjustment or variation to suit the number of sheets requiring manipulation open the group at the desired place? With. these and other objectsin'viewv the invention consists in the method and apps;-

ratus hereinafier described with reference to I' the accompanying drawings and particularly usually in order to GERMANY son THE SEPARATION or roman on INDIVIDUAL" snnn'rs mo, Seria1-No.504,530, and in Germany June 6, was;

pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changesin the form and arrangement may be made-without departing from the spirit of theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows part of a newspaper inserting machine, partly inside View and partly in section, Fig. 2 is a View of part of the above apparatus look' g in the direction of the aran row in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a View partly in 1011 gitudinal section showing the sheet turner;

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; Fig-s. 5 and 6 are front views showin two modified forms of the 65 sheet-turner; ig. 7 shows one exam le-oflthe work, consisting of two doublefol ed are inserted one within the other; Fig. 8 ows another example of the work, consisting of fofir sheets folded once and inserted into each 0t er.

In Figs. 7 and 8 two different forms of work pieces are shown; Fig. 7 showing a. form. which is customary with ordinary daily newspapers where two doubly folded parts are assembled one within the other. The parallel longitudinal folds of both parts are desi natedby L and L and the cross, fold by If another work piece is to be inserted,it is a matter of indifierence at which of so designated by three arrows) this insertionta esplace. In this case it' is possible therefore to use the heretofore cus-f tomary suction devices applied from above or from below atthat corner of the work whichin the drawing is locatedatthe bottom, because an openinggor separation at one of the three pointsindicatedby the arrows is bound to result.

In Fig. s however, there is-"shown a "work 90. piece consisting-of four sheets each folded; only once and inserted intoeach other, i. e., a 'ece whose 'pag'enumhers for examp e may run from l'to 8 and from 17 to 24: and to which there must be inserted an 5 additional part with the missing page numbers 9 to 16 andconsisting of two sheets folded": singly andinserted into each other.

In this case the insertion must take place exactly in the center at the point indicated by.

the three places the right hand arrow if the proper arrangement of the page numbers and the proper composition sequence is to be obtained. This ners in such manner that,

- to function. The

v down sheet corners W position shown in dottedlines. It can also be opening in the center cannot be effected by ordinary suction devices acting simultaneously fromabove and below, because 1n that case it would be left to chance -how many sheets the suction device would move. By the process according to the presentinvention the opening of such workpieces in their center is effected in a positive manner. Referring to Fig. 4 the work-piece W cor, responds to the lower part of Fig. 8 as seen in the direction of the left-hand arrow, and consists of three sheets singly folded and insorted into each other, and supported upon a plate 1. The sheet separator or turner B is rovided with suction channels 2 and revolves 1n the direction of the arrow while bearing with its circumference against the lower-side of the work piece W. In the example shown (where three sheets are'singly folded and inserted into each other) it is necessary that the sheet turner B bends off three individual corners so that the sheets are separated at the center. Consequently, of the eight suction channels 2 provided in all in the sheet turner B, five are plugged or closed 'by means of screws 3. Of the three suction channels which remain open (and which in the drawings lie horizontally towards the left, at 45 degrees to the left upwards and vertically upwards,) the last one as regards the direction of the rotation of the sheet turner, i. e. the one pointing vertically upward, is just beginning sheet. corner W originally located at the bottom was moved by the suction opening 2 pointing horizontally towards the left, the following sheet corner W was seized by the suction opening pointing at 45 degrees upward to the left and is still in the bulged condition, while the third sheet corner W is still at the under side of the work piece and has just been seized by the suction opening 2 pointing vertically upward. When the sheet turner B has turned in the direction of the arrow, through 135 degrees from the position shown on. the drawings, the bent- W W occupy the Seen that the suction opening 2 directed at 45 degrees upward to the right, during the further rotation of the sheet turner B from the position shown, comes into contact with the sheet corner which lies above W on which owever it has no effect because it is closed by a screw 3; the same being also the case with the four ensuing suction openings. I

From the above it will be seen how in th first place this process starts the opening of the work piece at one of its loosely lying corat this point, space is provided for the entrance of a member which effects the further opening. The

one of whose ends 4 rqtary air. nmp is connected.- N ear the inner end of the i re hole of the'shaft 4a slot 5 extends over a part of the circumference and coincides with thesuction channels 2 in the sheet" turner 8 and in the'sleeve 6 carrying it, so that the suction effect he 'ns as soon as one of the unclosed suction c annels 2 registers with the slot 5 of the shaft 4 (Fig. In the arm 7 ofa double forked bearlng bo y (Fig. 3) rotates the sleeve 6 which at its free end carries the sheet turner B, and between the two bearing arms 7 and 7 is mounted a spiral gear 8 for the drive which will be hereina er described. The sleeve 6 only reaches as far as the inner front surface of the bearing arm 7, but does not extend through the latter; but the hollow shaft 4 extends through said arm 7 and is secured therein by means of a set screw 9. By adjusting the shaft 4 in the bearing arm 7 the beginning of the suction effect can thus'be regulated. In order to prevent longitudinal displacement of the shaft 4 when loosening the set screw 9, a collar 10 is provided thereon at its closed end projecting beyond the sheet turner B.

the suction lineof a The seizure of the. individual sheet corners,

instead of being effected by suction may be effected by other means. Fig. 5 shows a sheet turner equipped with eight removable rubber cams or protuberances 11 of which at any time there may be attached to it only as many as there are sheet corners to be bulged and bent. Fig. 6 shows another form of sheet turner which carries eight needles 1'2 which are removable or adjustable and may be'caused to project slightly beyond the circumference and may thus serve to seize, bulge and bend the sheet corners. Here, too, the numberof the needles inserted is chosen according to the number of sheetcorners'to be bent. -The needles 12 may be controlledduring the'rotation of the sheet-turner so that after the sheet corner is bent they will occupy a position Whiuh is advantageous for their disengagement from the paper.

The total number of the suction channels 2, o? the rubber cams a newspaper inserting machine is shown in its essential parts -wit a sheet turner according to this invention cooperating therewith. For a clearer understanding of the operation these Figs.illustratethe means for separating the lowermost work piece and withdrawing 11 and the needles 12- which are arranged on-the'sheet turner, mayother in work pieces on the plate newsreasame from the stack although this forms'no part of the present invention.

' On the inclined stack plate 1 carried by the side cheeks 13 of the machine rests the stack comprising the superimposed work pieces, the lowermost of which is to be pulled into the machine and there opened at its-center so that an additional part {can lie-introduced;

The stop pieces 1e engage the edges of the 1 and thus support the stack thereon. The lower corners of'the work pieces Figs. 1 and 2 correspond to the left hand corners Figs. 7 and 8 w ich may be .termed closed corners so'thatopen'corners are located at the right hand side '(Fig: 2) of the plate 1 for codper'ation'with the sheet turner. The lower closed corners of the the bent front edge of the plate 1 and are supported by two pulling-in bells the direction indicated by the arrows at Fig. 2. Between the'said bells 15 under the closed corners of the work pieces a needle device 16. is provided whose needles during their properly controlled 1'1pward movement penetrate intermittently into the lowermost work piece and bulge it up in such manner under the work piece above it, near the closed corner, that the tongues 15 of the 'in this manner (and lying,

bells 15 may penetrate into the intermediate space thus created. During the further rov tation of the bells 15 the work piece is bent down in the well known manner and is caused vto bear against the circumference of a drum 18 turns in the side 17 which with its shaft cheeks 13 in proper timed relation to the aparatus. This vertically downward position of the bent-off closed corner is indicated by dotted lines in spring actuated levers 21 swinging on a shaft 22. During the'further rotation of the roller I 19 the closed corner isthen seized by the rear edge of the recess 19', so that the said corner is brought between the'drum 17 and the roller 19- and the work is now forcibly pulled out from beneath the stack.

The closed corner ofthe work piece leading in Eig. 2, at the bottom and in Flgs. 7 and Sat the left,) now passes by suitably arranged guides,' not shown, over two roller parts the shaft 22 at a slight distance from each other and'providedgat their front surface edges facing each other with teeth for facilitating the seizure of the said leading'corner, and from thence the corners pass between rollerparts 35 and 36 which feed the .work pieces forward and finally deposit the same on the machine table 37.- .With ordinary dailies, i. c. with work such as is shown for example in Fig. 7, the opening now takes place at the corner lying at this figure which corresponds to the right and arranged 15 revolving towards 'each' Fig. 1. In this position the into the recess 19 of a d by.

34 mounted on the bottom in hand'cor'ner in Fig. 2, by means of two suction devices not shown which are arran ed near suction devices there then, enters immediately; duringthe further movement of the wor piece the point of the splitting rail 38 arranged at' a suitable distance a 'ov'ethe machine table '37, which rail is so constructed and hei ht increasing toward's'the rear it comple'tes t e opening of he work piece to'an extent sufiicientfor the introduction of the drive-in knife 39 indicated in Fig. 1 without or with another work piece carried thereby.

As already explained above, 'the opening of work pieces according to'Figs. 7 and 8 cannot be e ected at the center or otherexactly predetermined place by .ordinary suction devices, and the sheetturner B is therefore'em ployed. Before the commencement of the pullingout of'the lowermost work iece from beneat the stack the sheet turner is located beneath the work piece cornerto the right in Fig. 2 which corner is'lowe'rmost at Fig. 8': In Fig. 4 this corner fthelowermost'work piece is seen in the; direction of the:left-hand arrow of The doubly forkedb earingbody 7,7 0 he sheet turner B swings on the shaft 23 Figs? 1 and'2 supported'by the side cheeks 13 and has an arm 24 actuated by a tension sprin' 25.. The operation of the sheet turner is-eifected in the following manner. a

On the'shaft'18 of the drum 17 is a spur gear 26 which engages a spur gear 27 of'half its size secured to the shaft 23. On this shaft 23', in the lower fork of the-bearing body 7 7 is also secured a spiral gear 29 which drives the spiral gear 8 secured on 6 carrying the sheet turner B. It will thus be seenthat the shaft 23 and the sheet turner B,-

in the example chosen, make two revolutions for every -workiece operation and for every 'During every second revolution of the sheet turner B a revolution of t e drum 17.

B, swinging around the shaft 23, moves downward into the position indicated by dotted lines at Fig. 1, and consequently its open suction channels remain without effect during one revolution of the sheet turner for every work pieceoperation. For the pilirpose of swinging down-the sheet turner a roller 30-is mounted uponitsbearin arm 7 and is kept by the action of the said spring'25, in engagement with a cam 31 secured on the shaft 18 of the drum 1 Simultaneously with the commencement of the downward movement of the sheet turner the sleeve that on accountofits width B the tongue 32 shown at Figs. 1 and 4" swings in under the stack corner and thus m the tongue 32 in the 2Q, length of the extraction of beneath the stack the tongue 32 and the guide sepa ates from the rest the bent-off'sheet corners, during the lowering of the sheet turner B In 'order to retain. this central splitting or separation at the-corner, during the pulling out of the lowest Work piece from beneath the stack there is provided a curved guide 33 following the path' ofthe corner during the extraction, which guide 33 adjoins swung-in position of the latter, so that the opened corner moves with one half above and one below it. By

means of an arm 33 or in some other suitable manner the curved ide 33 is mounted on the machine frame. il its lower end .the guide 33 is so connectedwith the splitting rail 38 that the latter forms a continuation thereof. In this manner, during the entire a work piece from 33 are located in the first place between the two halves of the opened corner of the work piece and during the further conveyance of the work piece over the machine table 37, the 'splittingrail 38 then enters into the opening thus created, completing in the manner already described the opening of the work piece for the entrance of the drive-in knife 39, (Fig.1).

The intermittent swinging inwardly and outwardly of the tongue 32 can be effected in any desired manner and as the means for effecting this movement is well known in the art they are not shown in the drawings.

The same process and the device of this invention may be used for the central separating or splitting of several sheets singly folded and inserted into each other, and it is of course alsopossible to open an individual sheet singly folded. ,The invention is not limited to the handling of sheets singly folded or folded and inserted into each other, but may be used to open exactly in the center sheets doubly folded and inserted into each other if the pulling-in device is-properly arranged in the stack. It will be'understoodthat. work pieces as shown at Fig. 7 can either-he laid in the stack in such a way that the sheet turner operates at the corner lying at the bottom in Fig. 7 provided, of course,

I the individual layers inserted into each other J turner may be caused to to permit of the proper otherwise the sheet operate at the corner which would be on the right-hand side in Fig. 7 if-this figure had notbeen broken away; this corner being made up at all times of in,- dividual sheet layers and it being therefore suitable for the operation in question.-

The process according to this invention can also be used for taking a definite number of individual unfolded sheets from a stack. containing the same, if, for example, instead are sufficiently flexible bulging and bending of the needle apparatus 16in Figs. 1.- and 2, a;

- or individual sheets-in new, is}

sheet turner according to this invention be utilized; in which casethe sheet turner would then be eliminatedatthe stack corner on the right-hand side inFig. 2. l 7

Finally the process according to this in vention can also be used'in cases where it is desired to separate from the upper side of a of the invention within thB'SGOPG. of the a.p-

pended claims.

What we claim is: 7 1. A method for the separation of folded or individual sheets in a stack which comprises successively bulging and bending a plurality of said sheets toform an o enmg at'the desired place betweena group 0 sheets and the stackand subsequently removing the group of sheets from the stack while maintaining said; opening therein.

2. Apparatus for. the separation of folded or individual sheets in-.a stack comprising a variable device located. at one corner of the stack for successively bending a variable number 'of sheets away from the. stack and means to be inserted between the bent sheets and the stack to continuethe separation. t

3. Apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets in a stack comprising a rotary device located beneath one corner of the stack for successively bending down a vice lo'catedat one corner of the-stack, a plu rality of individually controllable members mounted. on said device for successively engaging a predetermined numberof sheets to first bulge and then separate sheets from the remaining sheets. I

5. Apparatus for the separation of folded rotarymember located the stack, a group ofmembers carried on said device for successively engaging'a predetermined number of sheets tobend the corners of said sheets to format remaining sheets in the stack.

6. Apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets in a.- stack rotary member located at one a number of astaclg, comprising. a beneath one corner of group away from the comprising. a corner of the stack, a series of means on said member for engaging, bulging and bending a. .series ofsheets successively. fromthe remaining sheets.

.n the stack, and means for moving the rotary nember into and out of the operative position.

1 7. Apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets in a stack comprising a rotary'member located beneath one corner of the stack, a plurality of means on said member for engaging and bending a predetermined number of sheet corners successive-' ly' from the remaining sheets in the stack, and means .for swinging the rotary member towards and away from the stack.

'8. Apparatus for the separation or opening of sheets in a stack comprising a variable member for successively bending a predetermined'number of sheet corners to form an opening at the desired place, a member for penetrating said opening, means for withdrawing the sheets from thestack and means for preserving said opening during such withdrawal. u

9. Apparatus for the separation or opening of sheets in a stack comprising a rotary member for bending a predeterminednumber of sheet corners to form'an opening at the desired place, a swinging b ade to penetrate said opening, means for withdrawing the sheets from the stack in a direction diagonal of the sheets and means during such withdrawal.

- 10. App 'or individual sheets in a stack com-prising a rotary swinging member adapted to cofor preserving said opening aratus for the separation of folded or folded sheets in a stack comprising a frame, a variable suction device carried by said frame, a sleeve member adapted to turn in said frame to control the commencement and termination of the suction and means for varying said device to operate a predetermined number of sheets to provide an opening at the desired place.

15. Apparatus for se or folded sheets in a stac comprising a movable frame, a rotary suction device carried by said frame, a sleeve member adapted to turn in said frame to control the commencement and termination of the suction, means for modifying said device to operate a predetermined number of sheets to provide an opening at the desired place, and means for moving saidframe into and out of the operative position. 4 g

16. Apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets comprising a rotary member located adjacent to ,a corner of a stack of sheets, a plurality of removal needles carried by said member for engaging and opening a series of sheets successively and means for rotating said member to cause the separation of a predetermined number of said sheets. I

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

ALFRED WINKLER.

MAX DUNNEBIER.

operate with the sheets at one corner, means on said member for successively engaging a predetermined number of sheets to bulge and bend the same toform an opening, swinging means for penetrating the opening to preserve the separation of the sheets, and means 40 for swinging said rotary member into and out of cooperative engagement with the stack.

11. Apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets comprising a rotary member, a plurality of suction passages in said member for the successive manipulation of a series'of sh'eets,'means for closing certain of said passages and means for the supply of suction thereto. 12. Apparatus for the separation of folded or individual sheets comprising a rotary of suction apertures in member, a plurality said member for successive engagementwith and manipulation of a series of'sheets, meansfor closing certain of said apertures, means 5 for the supply of suction to said member, and means for moving the memberinto and out of the operative position.

, 13. Apparatus for theseparation of folded or individual sheets in a stack comprising a suction member, means on said member for --successively en aglng a plurality of said sheets andan a justable sleeve 'for the regu lation of the commencement and ending of the suction effect. 14. Apparatus for separating individual arating individual 

